By : Habte M.
In Ethiopia’s tumultuous political and tightly controlled media landscape, I found myself compelled to watch a narrative promoted by government-led media outlets, one crafted to sway public opinion. The truth is, both the former EPRDF and the current Prosperity Party (PP), have long weaponized media narratives to obscure their crimes. Today (or tonight, in Ethiopia), a documentary aired – ostensibly about Birtukan Temesgen – raising urgent questions: Is this yet another distraction orchestrated by PP, a desperate attempt to whitewash its image while the Amhara continue to endure genocide?
What, then, is the true intent behind this documentary? Is it an attempt to present PP as a responsible government, with Abiy portrayed as a compassionate leader who genuinely cares for his citizens? Or is it simply an effort to discredit the lived reality of the Amhara people, deflecting attention from the brutal atrocities they continue to face in Ethiopia?
While the details and claims of the documentary remain unclear, the broader issue at hand is far more pressing: the undeniable reality of what is happening to the Amhara people under PP’s leadership. My focus here is not on the specifics of Birtukan’s case, but rather on the undeniable facts that cannot be ignored – the systematic and genocidal war being waged against the Amhara population.
The Reality of Genocide
One of the most alarming and widely recognized facts is the ongoing genocide and systematic ethnic cleansing of the Amhara people. This is not a conspiracy theory or an unsubstantiated claim – it is an undeniable reality, woven into the daily life of the Amhara population, whether in the region itself or other parts of Ethiopia. We cannot erase the recent memories of hundreds of targeted killings, rapes, and the widespread displacement of Amhara civilians, particularly in regions where ethnic tensions run high. These atrocities are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader, coordinated effort to erase the Amhara community.
Is it not common knowledge that mass killings of innocent Amhara civilians by government forces are happening? Are there not numerous reports of gang rapes by government soldiers? Just days ago, global media outlets like the BBC reported drone attacks on civilians in their homes and churches, resulting in the destruction of entire villages and the displacement of families. These are not mere rumors or hearsay; they are backed by testimonies from survivors, human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as international watchdogs. Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, the government continues to either deny or fail to report the existence of these atrocities.
Has the Prosperity Party (PP) not actively undermined the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), which is intrinsically linked to the Amhara people, by restricting the movement of church leaders and even banning them from entering certain regions? Just a year ago, the church and its congregants mourned in solidarity with the Holy Synod, wearing black clothing to mark the grave injustice. It was only a few months ago that the Church’s Secretary General was denied access to regions where his spiritual guidance and support were urgently needed for the devastated communities.
Thousands of Amhara people – scholars, politicians, and activists alike – are being detained without due process. Prominent figures such as Christian Tadele and Yohannes Boyalew are languishing in Kilinto prison, deprived of their political rights and subjected to the same kind of injustice that has become a tragic norm for the Amhara people under this regime. Can the government really deny the existence of political repression, especially when these individuals are silenced simply for speaking out against the systemic injustices they are facing?
Ethnic Cleansing and Forced Displacement
There have been widespread reports of government forces committing massive war crimes and ethnic violence against the Amhara people, particularly in the Oromia region. In areas such as Wellega, Arsi, and other parts, Amhara communities have been attacked, their homes set on fire, and their livelihoods destroyed. These targeted assaults are often described as ethnic cleansing, and the government’s failure to protect these vulnerable communities raises serious concerns about its true intentions.
Recent incidents have seen monks and Christians in places like Bebrezeit (Bishoftu) and Shirka massacred in brutal, inhumane ways. This violence, directed at defenceless civilians, underscores the government’s failure to uphold its responsibility to protect all its citizens, particularly those from the Amhara ethnic group. The reality of these attacks is stark and undeniable, yet the government continues to promote a narrative that obscures these facts and shifts blame elsewhere.
Seeking the Truth
As government-controlled media outlets continue to push their version of events, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction. The evidence of genocide, political repression, and ethnic violence against the Amhara people is irrefutable – it is the daily reality of life for countless people. The question is not whether these atrocities are happening, but rather how much longer the world will continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Amhara people.
The truth cannot be hidden forever. As more voices rise in protest, the government will be forced to confront the consequences of its actions. Until that time comes, it is essential to stand in solidarity with the Amhara people and continue fighting for justice, peace, and accountability in Ethiopia.
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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1). Amaras & Genocide: More Amaras live in the Oromo Zone [OZ] than in the Amara Zone [AZ]. Cf.: I have never met any Oromo in Gojjam & Gonder during many sojourns.
Note: Christian Tadelle, in his interview with Simeneh on Walta [2019] said: “Over 15 million Amaras live in OZ alone.” So, are these Amaras ‘Genocide-Proof ’or what?
I am from Addis Ababa [≈7 million] and ≈65% [≈4.6 million] are Amaras. Top that up with the ≈1 million Amaras in the other Zones. So, that leaves ≈8 million* Amaras in AZ.
*Ref.: The CIA’s cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ethiopia/factsheets/ [Last updated March 25, 2025. Go to →People and Society→Population→Ethnic Group]: Ethiopia’s Population: 118,550,298; Amaras 24.1% [≈28.6 million]; Oromos 35.8% [;42.4 million].
2). When the TPLF’s TDF massacred >600 Amaras at Maykadra in just a day, why did the self-crowned ‘Amara Social Media Journalists’ fall silent? That’s Genocide, isn’t it? Is it because of the now obvious ‘Fanno’-TPLF-EPLF/Eritrea trilateral anti-Ethiopia plot?
3). Years ago, the self-crowned ‘Amara Social Media Journalists’ set social media abuzz with ‘Amara Genocide’ [‘2 million killed in wollega/Oromia’]. I question that sort of crap:
i). How come the number of Amaras in Wollega was more than Wollega’s population? Aren’t most of the Amaras in Wollega the ≈200,000 famine-displaced Wolloyes?
ii). Why didn’t Amaras [Gojjam/Gonder/Shewa] take in the famine-displaced Wolloyes? Wollega’s Oromos took them in! Why did Amaras turn blind eye & deaf ear back then?
iii). Weren’t the Amaras in Wollega killed by “X the Gonderew” [‘Fanno’ from Gonder], TPLF’s agents in Wollega, and Jall Mero & Co.? Why selectively demonize the Oromos?
Hundreds and Thousands of Amharas in the current oromia region have been killed and displaced at various times and have c ontuined this day since the 1974 student revolution broke out. Whenever there was a fregime change Amharas were the targe of killing and ethic cleansing. Historically , genocide aroud the world occured during war and down fall of regimes or transtions .
Hundreds and Thousands of Amharas in the current oromia region have been killed and displaced at various times and have contuined this day since the 1974 student revolution broke out. Whenever there was a regime change, Amharas were the target of killing and ethnic cleansing. Historically , genocide aroud the world occured during war and down fall of regimes or transtions .